[THE EXCEPTIONALLY RARE FIRST 52 ISSUES OF NASRADDIN HOCA SURVIVED THE CENCORSHIP CLIMATE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE REVOLUTION 1923] Nasreddin Hoca: Persembe ve Pazartesi günleri çikar siyasî, mizâhî gazete. The first 52 issues

ISMAIL HAKKI BEY (Owner).

Ilhami Fevzi Matbaasi, 1927.

In contemporary cloth binding. Gilt lettering "Nasreddin Hoca" on the front board. Folio. (40 x 28 cm). In Ottoman script (Old Turkish with Arabic letters). Each issue consists of 4 pages, with rich colour and b/w illustrations. Slight wear to the spine, fading, stains, and chippings along the extremities of the boards. The cover of the first issue has been repaired with tape. Overall, a very good volume with clean issues.

The first 52 issues of this satirical magazine, which began publication with its first issue on January 6, 1927, two years after the enactment of the Takrir-i Sükûn Law, and ended in 1928, focusing particularly on international political events. A very rare collection of the first 52 issues, published twice a week between January 6 and July 4, 1927. The magazine offers a visual insight into the political climate of the single-party and repressive environment following the Republican Revolution. A total of 157 issues were published.

Although the magazine's headquarters was in Manisa, it was printed and distributed in Istanbul. Published biweekly on Mondays and Thursdays as a four-page issue, the magazine presented domestic and foreign politics to its readers under the witness of Nasreddin Hodja (a character frequently found in folk tales across the Islamic world and the hero of humorous short stories and satirical anecdotes). The magazine's highly clever satirical approach played a key role in its relatively long lifespan.

A news article from the October 17, 1927 issue states that all the illustrations in this richly coloured and black-and-white illustrated magazine were drawn by the artist Cemal (Benim) Bey (1881-1939).

Nasreddin Hoca magazine, which held a special place in the 1927 elections, contributed to the propaganda efforts of the Republican People's Party (CHF) during this one-party period and became a defender of the early Republican reforms. However, its tone was more critical when addressing foreign policy issues. This editorial stance was largely influenced by the Takrîr-i Sükûn Law.

Ali Cemal Benim graduated from the Naval Academy in 1901 and the Fine Arts Academy in 1903. He painted still lifes, landscapes, and battle scenes at the Sisli Painting Studio (Sisli Atölyesi), which was founded by then Minister of War Enver Pasha for the Vienna and Berlin Exhibitions in 1917. Ali Cemal, who participated in the 1918 Vienna Exhibition and created wall paintings and posters, later pursued a career in journalism, working as an illustrator for various newspapers and magazines. (Source: Ankara Resim ve Heykel Müzesi).

The Takrîr-i Sükûn Law: Granting the government extraordinary powers, the Takrîr-i Sükûn Law was introduced after Prime Minister Ismet Inönü, concerned about the threat of religious uprisings in mid-November 1924, requested the declaration of martial law. However, when he failed to gain parliamentary approval, he resigned, and the more moderate Fethi Okyar was appointed as prime minister. When the Sheikh Said Rebellion erupted in mid-February 1925, martial law was immediately declared in Eastern Anatolia. Fethi Bey was removed from office, and on March 3, Ismet Pasha formed a new government. One of its first actions was passing the Takrîr-i Sükûn Law through Parliament and establishing two Independence Courts, one for the rebellion region and another, named the Ankara Court, for the rest of the country. Meanwhile, military units were mobilized, and through a planned military operation, the rebels were dispersed, and their leaders were captured. Those deemed guilty by the government were tried in the Independence Courts, where they received various sentences, including execution. Investigations revealed that some of the rebels were members of the Progressive Republican Party (Terakkiperver Cumhuriyet Firkasi). Consequently, on June 3, 1925, the only opposition party in the country was shut down by government decree.

Duman 1596.